Power actuated shock absorber



G. H. TABER POWER ACTUATED SHOCK ABSORBER Nov. 24, 1931.

Filed Dec. 24, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR 44;; ATTORNEY Nov. 24, 1931. H. TABER 1,833,238

POWER ACTUATED SHOCK ABSORBER Filed Dec. 24, 1928 3*Shets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR G id ye li 78b9,

Z11 ATTORNEY I Nov. 24, 1931. I G. H. TABE R 1,833,238 POWER ACTUATED SHOCK ABSORBER I Filed Dec. '24, 1923 5 Sheets-sheaf 5 hi ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 24, 1931 GEORGE n; TAZBER, or Erm ne nnren'rs, .nnwfYoan;

rowER meme snoox nnsonnnn l Application filed. December 24,19281 swarm-323,284 A The present invention relates to a vpower actuatedshock absorber and an object of the p v V inthe appended claims.

' invention is to provide'means forincreasing I part on the vehicle for increasing the speed $9 of movement of the wheel with reference to the speed ofmovement between theawheel and the vehicle body when the Wheel is V- giv en an impetus to move in one direction either by a bump or a depression. Another ob ect of the invention is to utilize a movmg the vehicle body when the latter is given an impetus to move in one direction by striking a bump or hollow. Stillanother object of the invention is to establish grip relation vwith a rotating part when the wheelflis given an impetus to move either up or down bya bump or a hollow for the purpose of increasing the movement of the wheel inflth'e direction to which the impetus isgiven by the bump or hollow. A further object of the invention is to provide two gripping devices mounted on the running gear and cooperating with a wheel, one of said gripping devices being operated to move thewheel toward the vehicle frame or lift thesame "at an'increased speed when the Wheel strikes a bump and the other of said gripping devices acting tolower the Wheel or move it away from the vehicle frame to cause the wheel to follow the road when the wheel meets a depression. A still further object of the invention is to provide means for retarding or snubbing theyretnrn movement of the wheel tonormal or neutral position with reference to the vehicle'frame. 'A still further object ofthe invention is to provide a snubbing means in which the two snubbing elements are normally out of co operation so that, when moved into cooperation, the moving element will engagethe otherelement without producing any chattering noises. Still another and further object of the invention is to .provide a gripping means which speeds up the movement of the vehicle wheelwith reference to the vehicle M frame on vthe striking of a bump 'or depression constructed so as to limit the gripping action so'that an excessive gripping action on the wheel will not be obtain'ed.

To these "and 1 other ends; the? inventi on'con 'sists of certain. parts 'and combinationsfof scribed: thenovel featuresjlbeingpointedbut In thedrawingsr; Hg; 1 is aside view of a frontwheel of a vehicle with fragments of the vehicle frame section equipped with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged front view showing the shock absorber .in shown in se'ction; i Figs; 3 and dare fragmentary views-parpositiomzparts being one embodiment of tially in sectionsh owing the manner in which the gripping members are supported Fig. 5 is an enlargedfragmentary section through'one of the gripping means;

Fig; 6 is a detail view of the two gripping rings side by side;

Figs? and 8 are ried' a I 9 isanoth'er detail view of the detent;

V detail viewsof thedetent and the bellcrank lever by which is car- Fi g. -10 is aside view of the shock'absorber Withparts brokenaway;and* a 11 is aufragmentaryyiew showing the parts for actuating'thefrictionalbands; Fig. 12: is 'a detail view of theshockabsorber. p Thepresent invention contemp'latesa shock absorber which the impetus imparted to the wheel by striking a bump .or falling'into a depression is increased in such a-manner that the shock imparted to the wheel is substantially absorbed before it reaches the've hicle body. In-other words, when the wheel 1 strikes a bump,itis,-due to the speediiof the car substanti ally li fted over the bump,- where as,*when the wheel strikes agholl'ow,'-.it is pro? jected into the hollow so that the vehicle. 1 frame substantially maintains the planefin which it is traveling; The .invention utilizes a gripping means which is normally out of contact with a moving part,:such a s a fricv tion'drum on the wheel of the vehicle, and which 18 brought intolengagement with the movin-gpart immediately impetus is imparted to the vehicle-wheel by an elevation'or depression in the roadway for causing the wheel to advance in -.the"d 1rect1on '1n wh ch it moved by the bump or'depressiong Prok vision i's'also made for releasing the gripping means immediately that. the movement is completedand for retarding the return move- 'ment of the wheel to its normal running position with' reference to the vehicle frame. In the illustrated embodiment, two distinct gripping devices with twoldistinct thrust connectionsf'with the vehicle frame are employed. These two gripping devices operate 7 in opposite-directions so as toexert forces H l' two opposite directions, and the thrust con nection s between these two gripping'devices and the frame connect with the gripping devices, one infront of the vehicle axle and the other in rear ofthe vehicle axle, the one in 'frontbecoming efiective when a bump or elegvation gives impetus.to' the vehiclewheel and j the one in the rear becoming effective when a depression or hollow givesimpetus tothe.

" vehicle wheel; The construction of the two gripping mechanisms are identical except for their reverse posit ons, so that it will be necessary to describe only one of them.

Referring moreparticularly to the nin 1 trated embodiment of the invention, 1 indicates a portion of the frame of the ,vehicle which is siipportedby springs (not shown)- by the axles 2.: Preferably on each of four 1y thereto. Foriholding the means in a neutral'position, twospring arms may be provided 5 which have at their free ends pro wheels 3 of the vehicle, only one being shown,

is arrangedyasis commoma brake drum'.4

forming a rotating 'part, theintei'ior surfaces of which cooperate with a brake band 5 forming part ofthe common brake of mechanism of the car. Surrounding each brake drum 4 and spaced therefrom but concentric therewith is a friction drum 6 which is I'lglCl- 1y secured to theaxle 2.."- Arranged between the outer face of the usualbrake drum 4 and v v I the inner face of the friction drum 6 is agripping means, in thisin'stance, in the. form of a split ring or band 7 This band is covered or faced on its inner ahdzouter perimeter with strips 8 and 9 of material which has high fricti'onf qualitiesand it isysupported in such a manner that the brake drum 4 turns relativejections 11 'en-gagingin pockets in holding pieces 12 :mountedon the drum 6 which pro,- ject into slots. 13. formed in opposite sides of With the endin view of providing a shift ing motionor swinging motion of the split J band such band may have a boss lel' secured thereto at 15 to which'an arm16 is bolted at 17 This arm has a laterally projecting pin 18 projected therefrom and; provided rod 21, the latter having a socket bearing .22

at its upper eiid'r eceiving a ball 23 on the end of a pin 24 which is bolted at25 to the frame 1. It will be seen that by; this construction, when there is any. relative. movement between-the axle 2 andtlie frame 1, the

band 7 willjbe shifteder turned about the axis of turning of the wheel and relatively with aball or' pivot 19 at its outer end on the inner side of the drum 6; This ball fits in a. socket bearing-20 in the lower endof a thrust tothefriction drum 6. Extendingfrom the.

ball'23, in line with the axis of the pin 24:, isanother.-.pii 18 which carries 'a ball 18 similar to' the pivot 23; This pivot is providedfor the thrust rod 21 projecting from the impetus imparting devicewhichgives the axle a thrust in the-opposite direction.

In order that with such turning of the fries tion band Z'? 'the frictionlband imayb e BX- pan'ded and contracted, the end of the band.

7 maybe provided withtwo perforated lugs 26 a1i'd 27 which are projectedv through a slot oi opening 28 in thefifrictiondrum-:6 and which are connected by agr'ojd 29.. This rod is surrounded by a helicalfspri-ng 30'seatin'g.

in cup washers 31 at its opposite ends, the

washers resting against the opposed spaces of the'peiforated lugSQG and 27.;Thi's rod may have one end screw-threaded at "32- for engagement by an vadjusting.nut :which bears against the. perforated .lug 26Q The other endofthis rod is pivoted 211334 to .a bell crank lever 85, the latterv being pivoted at 36 to'an arm '37 projected. from the outer face of the perforated'lugQY, Pivoted at 381% a swinging pawl 39' provided with astoptl adapted to cooperate with stop llxon the T bell crank lever o5, the-two stops normally being held. 'in engagementby a spring 42;

This pawlmember is considerably'wider than I the slot :oropening 28 in-itlie d'runrti so that it may cooperate at its e'ndsjwith'twoicams i 411' bolted at t2 oiiopposijte sides'ofthe slot 28-1 0 equalize; thrust on the pivot 88 on the pawl or'dog 39. gThe camsllflareso com structed and arranged' that when the band .7 is in its neutral position, thepaw'l' 3 9 rests against the surface 43. (lonnectingzwith the portion 43 is'the portion 4: 1; 'which tends to shift: the bell crank lever: 3561i itspivot" 'when'theband'l' 1S shifted n a direction to carry the pawl 39 oil". the neutral portion e3 onto the'portion 44L: Connecting with the portion. 441553 portion 4:5 Wl11Cl1 is concentric-- with theaXis of turning o'f'the wheel and x:

which 'isengaged' by thepawl 39 after it has T been'shifted on its pivot by the'portion is of thecam in order-to hold the positionof the pawlnotwithstanding a continued movement of/the band 7 P'Vhenthe bell. crank lever 35 shifts it tends to draw, the two ends of the 7 split band 7 together and thus contract the band uponthe outer face-of the drum 4 which is turning-with the wh'ee'l. This oc curs whenever there is a tendency for the ve hicle body and the axle to approach each of the pawl on the PQKlJlOIlHi, the amount of friction will be variable in proportion to the movement of the frame toward the axle. After the portion 45 is reached by the pawl 39, the 'maximum friction of the band T on the drum 4 is obtained,'and, notwithstanding the further movement ofthc vehicle frame with reference to the axle housing, theifric'- tion on the drum 4 is notincreased: l Vhen the vehicle frame and the axle separate or move away from each other or a reversal of the movement takes place, the pawl 39 swings so as to carry the stop 40 away from the stop 41 and permits the spring 30 to act in order to separate the ends of, the band 7 and also permit the band toexp'and, thus throwing the surface 8 into engagement with the inner face of the housing or drum 6; It \ill be understood that during the ordinary travel of the vehicle,'the frame and the axles are constantly moving toward and from each other. With 7 each movement toward each.

otherithe pawl will cooperate with the'cam 41 and cansethe splitband 7 to bind against the drum Fl andwi h each movementaway from each other the bands? Wlll, expand and cooperatewith the housing, or drum 6. The

pawl, when the frameand the axlcare in neutral POSlfiQIII'EStSUPOII the'cam 43,101 in other words, in the normal running of the vehicle the pawl rides onthe portion 43; A

housin lfi enclosesjt-he ex endin and conta in sion.

tracting mechanism being held placeby screws 47 which anchorin the'frictlondrum 6- It is apparent that the drum 4: forms a.

part turning continuously during the running of the vehicle. When 'thispart-is gripped in rear of its turning axis due to:

the wheel entering a depression'onhollow; the drum tends *to lift the thrustrod 21 in rear of the turning axis and in this way to effect the movement of the frame andthe wheel away from eachother, causing. the

wheel to advance quickly intothe depresor retardationtakes place due to the grip: .ping of the drum on the axle bythe'band 7. When a bump or elevation: is struck hyra wheel, the gripping device operated by the 1. The combination with an axle,

On the return movement a snubhing parts in the direction imwhich the impetus 1sg1ven."

' While, in this instance, two gripping devices are employed for increasing the movement of the wheel withrefe'rence'to the What I claim asmy invention and desire to secure-by LettersPatent is: v

a frame supported -to mave toward and from: the axle, and a Wheel arrangedlto move with theaxle toward and from "the frame, of means for effecting an increased speed of movement bet-ween theframe and the axle when the axleisgivenan impetus to move in one direction from a normal position.

The combination with an axle, aframe supported to move toward and from the axle, and a wheel arranged to move with the axle toward and from the frame,- of means for effecting an increased speedofjmovemerit-between the frametand the axle when the axle is givenan impetus to mov'ein one direction from a normal position, andmeans retarding the relative inoVQIIlQIit-inl' the other direction. va 3. The combination with an axle, aframe supported to move toward and from the axle,'and'a wheel arranged to move'toward and from: the frame with the axle, of a rotating. part carried'with the axle and movable with the latter relatively V-tothe frame,

and meansfor gripping said rotating-part,

said means having connection with the frame rotating part carried by the axle andfmovand from the frame with'the axle -Tof a able with thelatterrelativelyto the frame, i

a band arranged'to cooperate withthe ro tatlng part to grip the some, means for con-- necting said bandwiththe frame so that the band is turned about the 'rotating'part upon the relative movement between "the" axleand the frame, and meansfor autolmatieally causing the band to grip the 'rotating part upon such turning movement in one direction so' that the rotating part speeds frame. a

"5. The combination with an'axle, a' frame" supported to move toward and "fromthe isa axle, anda wheel arranged to move toward and trom the frame withsthe axle, of a ro- V tating part carried by the axle and movable with the latter relatively to the frame, a

band arranged to cooperate with the rotat H up the movement-between theiaxle and the o ingpart to gripthe' same, means for con-1 'necting said band with the frameso' that I the band is turned about the rotatlng' part upon the relative movement betweenithe axle and the frame, andmeans for. automatically causingv the band to grip the rotating part upon such turning movement in one direction so that the rotating part speeds up thewmov'em'ent between the axle and the "framepsaid .means having provision for automatically releasing said gripping enl-f 'gagement of the band -with the rotating part upon thejrelatlve movement of the axle/and the frame theaopposite' direction v V I Y i Y L. 6. "The;comb1nation,w1th an axle, a frame 1 supporte d'to'inove towardand from the axle and a, wheel arranged'to m'ove toward and from the. frame with the axle; of a rotating part carried by the axle and movable with the latter relatively with" the frame, o'f a' cause the turning iof the split band about the rotating part upon the relative movementbetween the axle and the frame, and means connecting the endsof the split band to cause them togrip the rotating part upon theturn- Iing ofthesplitband. p i

7. The combination with an axle, aiframe of said ends, abellcrankleverpivotallysupsupported to move toward and from the axle and a wheel arrangedlto. move toward and from the frame with the axle ofa rotating part carried by the axle and movable with the latter relative y with the frame.-- of a spl t band arranged to cooperate with themtating part tovgrip the same, means connecting-'the-split band with the. frame to cause the turning of the split band about the rotating part upon the relative movement between. the axle and the frame. and means connectin'githeends of'the split bandto'cause" supported to move toward and from the axle, and a wheel-arranged to move with the axle them to grip the'rotating part upon the turnng of the split band, said means comprising a mo'vable member connected to one end of the split band andhavingconnection with the o her-rend of'the split band to effect movement between theends upon the movement f said member. and a device arranged to shift said movable member upon the turning of thesplit band.- -c

' 8;.The combination withan axle, a frame I I I supported-to move toward and from the axle and awheel arran red to move toward and from thexframe with thelaxleof a rotating part carried bv the axle and movable with thelatterrelativelv with the frame.,of a split band arranged tocooperate with the rotatingpart to grip the same, meansjconrec-ting the split band w th the frame to cause the. turning of the split band 'about'the rotat- We part upon the relative'movement between the'axle and the frame}, and means connectingthe ends of the split band to cause them direction,

.to grip the rotating part upon the turning of I said movable member to permit -the 'split band to disengage withj the rotating part when the split band ismoved the other 9. vThe. combination with fan axle, a frame supported to move toward and from the axle and a wheel arranged to move toward and from the frame-with'the axle of a rotating 5 part carried by the axle and movable with thelatter relatively with the frame, a split band arranged to cooperate with the rotating part to grip the same, means connecting the 3 SPllt'bElIlCl with the frame to. cause the turnp ing of the split 'band about the rotating'part upon the relative movement between the axle and the frame, and means connecting the ends of the split bandto cause them to grip the rotating part upon the turning of the split band, an adjustable rod connecting the ends of the split band and slidable in one ported on'said last mentioned split end and connected with the slidably adj u'stablerod, a

pawl mounted on thejbell crank lever, and a cam arranged to engage the pawl when the split ring is movedinfone direction to cause the split ring-to. grip "the rotating partpsaid pawl being movable to'effect the release of the rotating part by the/gripping'umeans when the gripping member is moved in the I opposite direction.v w

10. Thecombination with an axle, a'frame toward and fromthe frame, of means for effecting ,theflincreased speed of movement between the frame and the axle when the axle is given an impetus to move toward the frame from normal position and also away from the frame from normal position.

11. The combination with "an axle',-alframe" supported to move toward and from the axle, and a wheelarranged to movewith the'axle toward a'ndfrom thefra-maiof a rotating .part carried with the axle and movable with the,latterrelativelywith the framatwo grip ping devices arrangedto engage said rotat-V ing part, and two connections between the frame and the g'rippln'g, devices, one with 7 frame supported by the axle to move toward at taaaaas 1 a gaging the rotating part, anda thrust mem-I ber connected to the gripping means and adapted for connection with the frame of the vehicle.

13. The combination with an axle, and a and from the axle, of a-rotating part on the axle, gripping means normally out of engagement with the rotating part, and thrust means connecting the gripping means with the frame to effect the gripping action on relative movement betweenthe frame and the axle.

14. The combination with an axle, a spindle supported by the axle, a wheel mounted on the spindle, and a frame supported by the axle and movable toward and from the latter, of a part rotatable with the wheel, gripping means normally out .Of engagement with such rotary part, and'thrust means connected to the frame directlyabove the axle andwith the gripping means to effect the gripping action upon relative movement between the frame and the axle.

15. The combination with; an axle, and a frame supported by the axle and movable toward and'from the same, a rotary part sup ported by the axle, gripping means normally out of gripping relation wit'nfthe rotary part, and a vthrust member having a ball and socket connection with the gripping means and a ball and socket connection with the frame.

16. The combination with an axle, a frame supported to move toward and from the axle,

and a wheel arranged to move with theaxle toward and from the frame, of a part turning with the wheel about the axis of turning of the wheel, a thrust member connected to the frame, and means for connecting said thrust member to the rotating part in rear-of the axisof turning of the wheel to cause the wheel to move away from the frame.

17. The combination with an axle, a frame supported to ,move toward 7 and from the axle,and a wheel arranged to move with the axle toward and from the frame, of a part turning with the wheel about the axis of turning of the wheel, a thrust member connected to the frame, means for connecting said thrust member to the rotating part in rear of the axis of turning of the wheel to cause the wheel to move away from the frame, a second thrust member connected to the frame, and means for connecting said second ber' connectedwith' said; gripp ingfin-cans and "tion and the releasefof: t'h rotating'par me er to therota ing pa fro t. f the w 1 guise 9 h l. o m i dw the ,19 hejcqm; Supported by th ax l'eft'o movetowa'rd an f e xles. a o ti g p i i n n -a e;

t mi eaten-am eml .1 01 yo .gi ping means 1 arrsurgedaboutthe rotating 7 part 7 normally out of engagemen't 7 there.- wlth, said; gripping means being rotatable about the rotating 'part, 3 a thrust memb'er connectedfwith said grippingfmeans and'al'so a with the frame,jaiid"1neansj for effectin'a" V. gripb ligfiae ibn' oiiith ota i g P Wgen the gripping m mb r sit rnediin one 11. 766- t on and the release of the rotating; part by the gripping means when'the latter i'sturned Y in the other direction;

20., The; combjnati'onfwithan axle, and a frame'sup'portfecjl by the axle to move toward and fr'om'the' axle, of a rotating part on th'e hal g ipp g means rrangfl qa t hi f tating, partfand normally but of engagement t r with sa g ippin l means; e ng rotar able about: the rotating part, a; thrust memalso with the framm mea'ns for elfectirrg]a ,g'r ppingiaction ontlre rotating partfw en "the gripping member is turned in one di the; gripping means whenltfhe latter is turf Y ed p in the other direction, "fixed part Cali ried by theaxl'e a iid with' which the gripping means engages to effect a retarding of the movement of the frame relatively to the axle whenthe gripping means is turned in the direction to release the rotating .part.

' 21. The combination with a rotating part I and a fixed part, :of gripping means normally out --of-'en' 'agement with both parts, and a ia,

thrust member connected with the gripping means and adapted for connectionwith the frame of the'vehi-cle so that upon the movement of the frame in one direction with reference to the rotating and the fixed part, the

rotating part will be engaged, and, upon the I movement. ofthe frame in the other direc tion, the fixedpart will be engaged by the gripping member. v I v 22. A shock absorber comprising two parts having opposed concentric cyllndrical surrotating and the other, being fixed, a split expansible and contractible ring arranged between the parts, and means causing said ring to grip the rotating part to absorb the shock,

and to grip the fixed part to produce a retarding action. p

23. A shock absorber compr sing two parts having opposed concentric cylindrical surfaces arranged in spaced relation, one part f rotating and the other being fixed, a split expansible and contractible ring arranged between the parts, means causing said ring to grip the rotating part :to" absorb the-shock and to grip the fixed part to produce. a re- 115."v faces arranged in spaced relation, one part ,with; both cylindrical surfaces. 7 V

fl'y's'npporting thefranie, and "21 traction Wheelj' I l tur'nlng en the running gear, distinguished I 1" 24,,In'a ehicle ofthe type having a chassis 1 comprisi g a; frame,a running gear resilientby means for s'hiftingthefwheel and the adjgeentportion of the running gear. Qrelative- ,ly'to the framein a dlrectlen'in-wlnch, an 7 I impetus is given to the Wheel.

t 25: In a 'yehiele',fthe combination; with a ehessis'frame an axle, and a'tractiqniwheel I fs'upp'orted'by the axle, of means-for shifting thewheehand the adjacent port on of the 'axle toward the frame, when; the wheel'is vgiven an impetus toward the fr'ameandaway,

from the framewhere thewheel is given an impetus to move away fronrthefram'e.

e 26. In a vehicle, the combinationwith a running gear, and a frame resiliently sup- 'ported by the running gear; of *atracti'on 7 Wheel turning on the runnin' gear, of means for shifting the 'wheel and the. adjacent por-, tion of the'r'unning gear in'one direction relatlvelyto'the frame when the Wheel is given 'an' impetus to' move in such direction, and means-.fo'r retarding the'jreturn movement'of the Wheel with referencetu the adj acen't port-ion of the running gear.

fiction end yieldingirneans normally supporting said split ring ou'tvofengagem'ent v 

